The Portland daily press., 1887-02-22
FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL.
STATE OF TRADE,
(From Bradstreet's Of Saturday, Feb. 49,

(From Bradstreets Of Saturday, Feb. 49,
Special kilograms TO Bradstreets point to the
movement Of a moderately improved volume of
general merchandise during the week, due in part
to fewer labor troubles, and at some points to
more seasonable weather, together with begin
nlngs Of spring purchases. Activity in distribu-
ton Of staple goods is most pronounced at Kansas
City, Chicago, New Orleans and Detroit. AtNew
York, Boston, Philadelphia and Cincinnati there
is an improving tendency. At most other points
reported trade is fair only or without change, ex-
eept st Milwaukee and indianapolis, which make
the less encouraging reports, except as to the
prospects OF spring trade. Wet weather west,
southwest and northwest continues to render
country roads dificuit Of passage, which checks
interior trading and mercantile collections to some
extent A severe storm at the northwest yester-
day promises to interfere with trade to some OK
tent.
The total number of industrial employees in the
country reported since January as on strike IL
about 81, O00 OF these $4,000 struck during Feb
ruary, ana 5000 prior to January ]. of the to-
tai, $4,000 strikers have secured their ends in
whole or In part, and about 5000 have signally
failed 10 do so. Increases in New York bank loans
of Si2.0Oo,o00 within two weeks we're caused
largely through having to carry railway snarea re-
furned from Europe
The tendency toward gold exports, in spite Of
late heavy exports Of produce also points IN part
to the extent of recent foreign sales OF American
securities Domestic money markets ut most
eenters are increasingly active, but the supply is
FULLY equal to the demand. The total bank clear
ings at thlrty-three cities, as wired to Brad
streets, is s97e, ,6so this week, against 951
71l,47I last week and s9e4,4so,175 for the
third week of February, 1886, gain during the
week Of s25ooo,00o. OF 21s per cent, and as
compared with last year of s12,o0o,0o0 OF LIZ
per cent The increase is chiefly due to gains at
New York, Boston and Philadelphia, where the
weeks gains aggregate oyer s23, 10000.
The demand for iron and steel has been less
pronounced. southern pig has not gone west so
freely, and some has come east. Prices east and
west are firm but unchanged. A foreign Besse-
mer pig sale here of 10000 tons is noted, with
about 200, 900 tons of foreign material contracted
for 1887 delivery In the United States. With
present conditions continued Till the opening Of
navigation further advance in domestic iron
prices Is probable. Hardware and agricultural
implement sales at the west are generally very ac=
tive. Wheat has been bearish, with demorallza-
ton at the vest, owing to disgust and WEAKNESS
OF the longs. exhausted margins and unfayorable
cables. This was succeeded w Q reaction, STRONG
holders having taken freely at the lover figures
rcacned. EsneWcu export demand and declining
receipts at the west exerted an influence, but No
2 red at New York closed at 9oAc, against 9o7l
last week. Reduced western stocks of hog pro
ducts, smaller receipts Of underwelght hogs at
packing centeFs. restricted output of products
and better home and export demand have made
pork brisk and lard active, with mess closing a
SLABS per barrel and western steam lard 20
AGAINST s14 and 7 20 respectively on the It'll
s..t coAaa decIined under heavy speculative.
dealings about lie per pound until yesterday,wheI
there was a reaction OF 40 points on options am
He on spot. Increased Brazilian receipts ans